Content

Declarations of
interest for this item:
 
None
 
RESOLVED:
 
That
Cabinet:
 

1.   
Approved the initiation of a tender process for the selection of a
contractor to deliver the new-build development of nine Council
homes at Kings Road Car Park (land to the rear of St James Place),
N17 8NP. This approval included the anticipated total scheme cost
as detailed in the exempt section of this
report.
 
 
Reasons for
decisions
 
The Council’s Contract Standing Order
item 2.01.b) requires Cabinet approval to commence a procurement
exercise for proposed contracts valued £500,000 or
above. 
 
The site known as Kings Road Car Park (to the rear
of St James Place), N17 8NP, was approved by Cabinet in October
2021 for inclusion in the Council’s Housing Delivery
Programme. A planning application for the proposed redevelopment
will be submitted by October 2025; the application is scheduled for
determination at December’s 2025 Planning Committee.
 
Financial appraisals,
supported by the Council’s independent cost consultant,
confirm that the scheme is viable and represents value for
money.
 
The proposed development will
deliver nine much-needed affordable homes on Council-owned land.
The inclusion of larger four-bedroom homes responds directly to a
significant gap in the Council’s existing housing stock,
particularly for larger households currently placed in temporary or
high-cost accommodation due to the lack of suitable provision. This
scheme not only meets urgent housing needs but also supports
long-term financial sustainability by reducing reliance on more
expensive housing solutions. Additionally, the development
contributes to the Council’s strategic target of delivering
3,000 new Council homes by 2031.
 
The proposed development makes
efficient use of an underutilised Council-owned site, providing
high-quality, affordable housing. This aligns with the
Council’s strategic objective to maximise the use of its land
assets to meet pressing housing needs.
 
The proposed development has
been designed to address existing issues of anti-social behaviour
through improved site layout, natural surveillance, and secure
access arrangements. Upgraded refuse storage facilities will
support the Council’s efforts to reduce fly-tipping in the
area, contributing to a cleaner and safer environment.
Collectively, these improvements will enhance the overall quality
of the public realm and promote a more positive living environment
for existing and future residents.
 
 
Alternative options
considered
 
One option considered was not proceeding with a
competitive tender or developing the site for housing. However,
this approach was discounted as it does not align with the
Council’s strategic objective to deliver a new generation of
Council homes.